Nery grabs early PGFF leadManila Bulletin, Oct 25, 2008 Two-time Angler of the Year winner Bong Nery grabbed the early lead in the Philippine Game Fishing Foundation (PGFF) series when his team triumphed in the recent tournament in Calatagan in Batangas.

A future Hall of Famer, Nery teamed up with lady angler Annette Coronel and Stewart Chongson to hook 17.908 kilos during the two-day event sponsored by American Technologies Inc. and Golden Maple.

Tony Espejo of Standard Insurance finished second with 11.908 kilos catch, including the new RP record of 4.045 kilos of Papacol. That enabled Espejo to break Nery's record of 3.63 kilos of Papacol which he registered last August.

The team of PAL stewards Rico Gueco and Zac Manipol, Lito Tanseco and Mayenn Ordoveza tallied 7.272 kgs of assorted fish to finish third in the 21-angler field.

Coronel also had her share of glory when she broke the RP record in the Porcuping Puffer fish division as she hooked 2.5 kilos. Chongson, on the other hand, got the heaviest Garapache at 4.636 kilos.

With their win, Nery, who also won last April in San Vicente, Sta. Ana, Cagayan, boosted his lead for this year's AOY award. He's also leading in the light tackle AOY followed by Coronel and Chongson.

Meanwhile, Tony Castillo and Jing Conchon are leading the way in the heavy tackle division.